Scene Calendar: WomBash Fest, 'SpongeBob Musical,' Tioga movie night, Spring Extravaganza
MUSIC
The WomBash Festival: 6-11 p.m. Friday, First Magnitude Brewing Company, 1220 SE Veitch St. Tickets: $50 weekend pass (Friday-Saturday). (thewombash.com) Concert event featuring performances by Jordan Burchel Band, The Slims and Avi Bortnick’s Cornpone.
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss: 7 p.m. Friday, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340C A1A South, St. Augustine. Tickets: $79.50-$179.50. (904-209-0367, theamp.com) The singers will perform with special guest JD McPherson.
The WomBash Festival: Noon-11 p.m. Saturday, Heartwood Soundstage, 619 S. Main St. Tickets: $50 weekend pass (Friday-Saturday). (thewombash.com) Concert event featuring performances by The Ones to Blame, Little Jake and the Soul Searchers, Sooza Brass Band, Morningbell, What It Is and Sister Hazel.
Gainesville Youth Chorus Spring: 2 p.m. Saturday, First Presbyterian Church, 106 SW Third St. Free. (bit.ly/springyouth23) Spring concert and reception.
Jazz on the Green: 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) Live music on the stage in the promenade, food and drinks, lawn games and more. Future concerts planned for June 10, July 8, Aug. 12, Sept. 9, Oct. 14, Nov. 11 and Dec. 9.
Tenacious D: 8 p.m. Saturday, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340C A1A South, St. Augustine. Tickets: $29.50-$99.50. (904-209-0367, theamp.com) Jack Black and Kyle Gass make up the American comedy rock duo Tenacious D.
Gainesville Community Band: 3 p.m. Sunday, Saint Patrick's Church, 500 NE 16th Ave. Free. (bit.ly/momconcert23) Mother's Day concert.
Pitbull: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340C A1A South, St. Augustine. Tickets: $77.99-$102.99. (904-209-0367, theamp.com) Pitbull invites disruption on a global scale as a Grammy-winning independent international superstar, education advocate, business entrepreneur and motivational speaker.
Paul Cauthen: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach. Tickets: $43. (pvconcerthall.com) The singer, songwriter and proud son of Tyler, Texas — steward of a rich, resonant, bass-leaning tenor dubbed “Big Velvet” — covers a lot of ground and embodies a lot of characters.
Psychedelic Furs: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Jacksonville. Tickets: $54.50-$99.50. (floridatheatre.com, 904-355-5661) The Psychedelic Furs are a post-punk band founded in London in February 1977.
THEATER
Brian Regan: 7 p.m. Sunday, Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St., Jacksonville. Tickets: $45-$65. (floridatheatre.com, 904-355-5661) Comedian Brian Regan has been a solid touring comedian since the release of his first album, “Brian Regan Live,” in 1997 and has distinguished himself as one of the premier comedians in the country.
“The SpongeBob Musical”: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $18 general admission, $12 ages 12 and younger. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Presented by Star Center Theatre & Caring and Sharing School.
ET CETERA
Frogs and Friends Friday: 2-3 p.m. Fridays through May 26, Morningside Nature Center, 3540 E. University Ave. Free; registration required. (bit.ly/frogfriday22) Family friendly event held every first Friday of the month at the picnic pavilion. Kids, accompanied by an adult, can join Morningside’s animal caretaker and learn about the canter’s amphibian and reptile friends.
“Florida Skies (Spring)”: 7-8 p.m. Fridays through May 26, Kika Silva Pla Planetarium, 3000 NW 83rd St. Tickets: $7.19 for adults; $6.17 ages 4-12, ages 60 and older, UF affiliates, military and first responders. (showpass.com/o/santa-fe-college-planetarium) Join James Albury, former co-host of the PBS TV Show “Star Gazers,” as he takes you on a personally guided tour of the night sky using the GOTO Chronos Space Simulator.
Tioga Outdoor Movie Night: 8-10 p.m. Friday, Tioga Town Center, 133 SW 130th Way, Newberry. Free. (tiogatowncenter.com) Tioga movie night featuring “Back to the Future.” Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and enjoy the movie under the stars.
Family Fishing Day: 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, 7922 NW 71st St. Free; cash donations welcomed. (ffgs.ifas.ufl.edu) Family oriented fresh-water fishing with loaner poles and bait available. Railed fishing deck with two handicapped accessible ramps.
Sweetwater Wetlands Tour: 8:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sweetwater Wetlands Park, 325 Williston Road. Cost: $5 per vehicle, $2 pedestrians and buses. (sweetwaterwetlands.org, 554-5871) Take a guided tour and learn about the park's history and management, and the wildlife and plants that can be found there.
Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation Tour: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation, 8528 E. County Road 225. Tickets: $25 adults, $10 ages 2-11, free ages 1 and younger; $45 motorized-vehicle tours. (carsonspringswildlife.org, 468-2827, contact@cswildlife.org) Take a tour — on foot or in a tour vehicle — of Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation with big-cat feeding demonstrations and up-close encounters with the animals.
Historic Haile Homestead Tour: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, noon-4 p.m. Sundays, Historic Haile Homestead, 8500 Archer Road. Entrance: $5 ages 12 and older, free ages 11 and younger. (hailehomestead.org) The Historic Haile Homestead is unique in the nation for its "Talking Walls.''
Rooterville Animal Sanctuary Self-Guided Tours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Rooterville Animal Sanctuary, 5579 Darwood St., Melrose. Cost: Suggested $15 donation per person or $45 for a family of four. (rooterville.org) Take a map of the sanctuary at the gate to see highlights of Rooterville to help you find your way. Trolley tours at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Spring Extravaganza: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 2-8 p.m. Sunday, 4-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, Hollow Oaks, 18005 NW 190th Ave., High Springs. Cost: $10. (hollowoakscornmaze.com) Sunflower U-Pick, photo opportunities and children's area with corn box, duck race, jump pad and more.
Horse Feeding: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Mill Creek Farm Retirement Home for Horses, 20307 NW CR 235A, Alachua. Entrance: Bag of carrots. (millcreekfarm.org) The Retirement Home for Horses provides lifetime care to elderly horses seized by law enforcement agencies, rescued by the SPCA or humane societies, as well as horses retired from government service such as police patrol or state and federal parks.
Painting with Bats: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Lubee Bat Conservancy, 1309 NW 192nd Ave. Tickets: $75. (bit.ly/paintwithbats23) Painting party and private behind-the-scenes tour to meet some of the world’s giant fruit bats up close and personal. Local artist Samm Wehman Epstein will lead attendees as they paint their favorite bat.
Mother’s Day at the Patch: 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, The Bryer Patch, 5700 SW 250th St., Newberry. Cost: $5 general admission, free ages 3 and younger. (bit.ly/momatpatch) Flower picking, including sunflowers, zinnias and wildflowers, for $10-$15; hay ride and play paddock; and Amby’s BBQ food truck.
“Interwoven Waters: Exploring Florida's Interconnected Waterways”: 4 p.m. Saturday, Matheson History Museum, 513 E. University Ave., and online via Zoom. Free; registration required. (bit.ly/waterways23, bit.ly/waterways23zoom) Vasilios Kosmakos, coordinator of the History of Florida Water Management Project at the University of Florida’s Samuel Proctor Oral History Program, will discuss the interconnectivity of Florida’s waterways.
Second Saturday Street Circus: 4-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 SW First Ave. Free. (bit.ly/streetcircusmarch23) GNV Street Shows is a busking pilot program to promote active streets by providing performance art on sidewalks and street corners that can be encountered by pedestrians downtown. The 2023 season highlights Gainesville's unique professional circus community, with monthly family friendly free circus performances on the Streatery.
Haile Equestrian Center Movie Nights: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Haile Equestrian Center, 7680 SW 46th Blvd. Cost: Free for Haile Equestrian members, $40 for non-members. (haileequestrian.com) From classic horse movies to current films, these movie nights are all about horses. Popcorn and drinks provided, bring other movie snacks if you wish and a comfy blanket to watch with.
Kulaqua River Ranch Water Park Community Day: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday, River Ranch Water Park, 23400 NW 212th Ave., High Springs. Admission: $16 ages 4 and older, free ages 3 and younger. (kulaqua.com) In an effort to support the community, Camp Kulaqua opens the River Ranch during specific days during the summer at a discounted rate with no reservations required. The venue requests that modest swimsuits be worn. Food and coolers allowed, but no glass containers or alcoholic beverages. Future community days include May 21, May 29, July 9, Aug. 6 and Aug. 13.
Sweetwater Wetlands Park Wednesday Bird Walks: 8:30-10 a.m. Wednesdays through May 31, Sweetwater Wetlands Park, 325 SW Williston Road. Admission: $5 per vehicle; $2 for pedestrians, vans and bikes. (alachuaaudubon.org) Discover the rich diversity of birds at one of north central Florida's premier birding hotspots during a two- to three-hour guided walking tour. Birders of all levels welcome. Walks are led by volunteers from Alachua Audubon Society with assistance from Sweetwater Wetlands Park rangers.
Barnyard Buddies: 3-4 p.m. Wednesdays through May 31, Morningside Nature Center, 3540 E. University Ave. Free. (bit.ly/barnbuds) Weekly program where youngsters, with an adult, can meet and greet farm animals by helping staff with afternoon feeding. Animals love donations of carrots, squash, apples, sweet potatoes and melons.
ART
Artisans' Guild Gallery: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday Mother’s Day Muffins and Mimosas Art Market featuring 19 local artists, live music with hapter3 and Eric Diamond, and food provided by Radha’s Kitchen; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday Second Sunday Art Market featuring local artists and makers, food trucks and live music. 224 NW Second Ave. (378-1383, artisansguildgallery.com)
Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention: “Latimer, Edison, Tesla: The Age of Electricity,” where attendees can meet the inventors and innovators who wired the world as they tinker, design and traverse their way across the turn of the 20th century, on display through May 21; “Lewis Latimer: Lighting the Way,” where attendees can walk through the life of Lewis Latimer, an inventor who changed the way the world viewed electric light, on display through May 21. Tickets: $12.50, $10 seniors and college students, $7.50 ages 5-17, free ages 4 and younger. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. 811 N. Main St. (371-8001, cademuseum.org)
Cedar Key Arts Center: Friday-Sunday open studio; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday Adult Sewing Help with Bunny Hand. 457 Second St., Cedar Key. (543-5801, cedarkeyartscenter.org)
Florida Museum of Natural History: “Spiders Alive!” on display through Sept. 4. This exciting exhibit dives into the world of spiders, scorpions and their relatives with more than a dozen live species from around the world. Tickets: $8 adults; $7.50 Florida residents, seniors and non-UF college students; $5.50 ages 3-17; free ages 2 and younger, UF students and museum members. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. 3215 Hull Road. (floridamuseum.ufl.edu, 846-2000)
Gainesville Fine Arts Association Gallery: “Communication” on display through May 20; “Transparency” on display May 24-June 24. Gallery hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. 1314 S. Main St. (gainesvillefinearts.org, info@gainsevillefinearts.org)
Harn Museum of Art: “AWE-some : time :: materiality :: meaning” on display through Sunday. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. 3259 Hull Road. (392-9826)
Matheson History Museum: “We Are Here: Stories From Multilingual Speakers In North Central Florida,” an exhibition that illustrates the immigration journeys of the North Central Florida community through stories that hold power in multiple languages; “Return to Forever: Gainesville’s Great Southern Music Hall,” showcasing dozens of John Moran‘s performance photos from his two years as the Great Southern Music Hall house photographer. Also featured is a display of Bo Diddley artifacts, including one of Bo’s signature square box guitars. Written by music journalist Bill DeYoung and designed by historian Rick Kilby, this unique exhibit celebrates a golden age in the University City’s musical history, the likes of which may never be seen again; “When Johnny Came Marching Home: Some Gave All – All Gave Some,” remembering those who came home from war with both physical and mental wounds, on display outside. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. 513 E. University Ave. (378-2280, mathesonmuseum.org)
Melrose Bay Art Gallery: Works by Linda Zidonik on display through May 28. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday or by appointment. 103 State Road 26, Melrose. (475-3866, melrosebayartgallery.com)
Santa Fe College’s Blount Hall: A large art collection from local collector Hector Puigon display. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Corner of West University Avenue and North Sixth Street.
Sweetwater Print Cooperative: Pat Telesco’s "Connecting the Dots," work that is "about the path of a personal vision from the distance of time and across media," on display through noon May 24. Gallery hours: By appointment. 117 S. Main St. (514-3838)
UPCOMING CONCERTS
First Night of the Hogtown Opry: 7 p.m. May 20, University Auditorium at 333 Newell Drive, University of Florida campus. Tickets: $40-$100. (performingarts.ufl.edu, hogtownopry.com) Inaugural event featuring three bands, guest players, and a focus on original songs and well-loved standards.
Sunday Sampler Series: 2-4:30 p.m. May 21, Historic Dunnellon Train Depot, 12061 S. Williams St., Dunnellon. Free. (discoverdunnellon.com) Brian Smalley will perform.
Legacy Park Spring Concert Series: 5-8 p.m. June 3, Legacy Park Amphitheater, 15400 Peggy Road, Alachua. Free; food for sale. (bit.ly/springseries23) Live performance by Elio Pieda plus food trucks and a bounce house.
Sunday Sampler Series: 2-4:30 p.m. June 18, Historic Dunnellon Train Depot, 12061 S. Williams St., Dunnellon. Free. (discoverdunnellon.com) In Good Company will perform.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Journey to Juneteenth Kickoff: 9 a.m. May 19, City Hall Plaza, 200 E. University Ave. Free. (bit.ly/journeyjuneteenth23) Reading of Juneteenth proclamation and raising of Juneteenth flag at City Hall.
Florida Emancipation Day Celebration: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 20, Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, 837 SE Seventh Ave. Free entry; items and food for sale. (cottonclubmuseum.com) All-day indoor and outdoor festival in partnership with the city of Gainesville’s “Journey to Juneteenth” and beginning with a march led by neighborhood organizations from Depot Park to the Cotton Club Museum. Entertainment will include live music, dance, spoken word and a memorial service for fallen Black Civil War soldiers. The day also will include soul food for purchase from vendors and food trucks, art displays, T-shirts and more.
Downtown High Springs Artwalk: Noon-5 p.m. May 20, downtown High Springs. Free entry; items and food for sale. (facebook.com/downtownhighsprings/events) Monthly event featuring local artists and makers, as well as specials from downtown businesses. Future dates include June 17, Oct. 21, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16.
Dance Sun Country “Let’s Go To The Movies!”: 1 p.m. May 20, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $21 general admission, $18 ages 3-11, free ages 2 and younger. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Annual recital in its 16th year featuring 40 dances and including performances in classical ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern, musical theatre, lyrical, contemporary dance and clogging.
Sunday Assembly: 11 a.m. May 21, Pride Center located in the Liberty Center, 3131 NW 13th St. Free. (SundayAssembly32601@gmail.com, sagainesville.weebly.com) Sunday Assembly will host guest speaker Julie Naim, a Master Gardener who presents programs for the Alachua County Extension Service to help people have success in their garden and landscaping. She will talk about the web of life in North Florida and how we are a part of that web. Music will be provided by Sunday Assembly musicians with the opportunity to sing along. It also is possible to attend via Zoom.
“Clue”: 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays May 26-June 11, Gainesville Community Playhouse, 4039 NW 16th Blvd. Tickets: $23 general admission, $19 seniors, $12 students. (gcplayhouse.org) Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie that was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, “Clue” is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery. The tale begins at a remote mansion where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party with murder and blackmail on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. Led by the butler, Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock and Colonel Mustard race to find the killer as the body count stacks up. “Clue” is the comedy whodunit that will leave both cult-fans and newcomers in stitches as they try to figure out … who did it, where and with what!
“Nunsense: The Musical”: 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, June 2-25, High Springs Playhouse, 130 NE First Ave, High Springs. Tickets: $15 general admission, $10 students and ages 65 and older. (highspringsplayhouse.com) The show is a fundraiser put on by the Little Sisters of Hoboken to raise money to bury sisters accidently poisoned by the convent cook, Sister Julia (Child of God). Updated with new jokes, additional lyrics, two new arrangements and a brand new song, this madcap musical was recorded for television starring Rue McClanahan as the Mother Superior.
Enstoolment Celebration: 5-8 p.m. June 3, Best Western Gateway Grand, 4200 NW 97th Blvd. Tickets: $75. (cottonclubmuseum.com/event-details/enstoolment-celebration) In honor of Vivian Washington Filer, who will be given a royal stool and designated with the honorary title of Queen Mother.
“The History of the Seminole Nation: Unchained and Unconquered”: 6-9 p.m. June 4, Oak View Park, 810 NW Eighth Ave. Free. (bit.ly/journeyjuneteenth23) Juneteenth event featuring music, art, poetry, a lecture and a Q&A period.
Juneteenth Film Festival: 5:30-9:30 p.m. June 10, A Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center, 1013 NW Seventh Ave. Free. (bit.ly/journeyjuneteenth23) Featuring "Soul of America: The Charles Bradley Story," "One More Time" and "Sarah's Place: The Sarah McKnight Story."
Smooth Flava Gainesville Juneteenth Dance Party: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. June 11, Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E. University Ave. Free. (bit.ly/journeyjuneteenth23) Join Smooth Flava for a community line dance party.
Juneteenth Storytime at Depot Park: 10:30 a.m. June 15, Depot Park, 874 SE Fourth St. Free. (bit.ly/journeyjuneteenth23) Children and caregivers can read, laugh and sing at an outdoor story time led by library staff.
Juneteenth: Rejoice, Reflect, Remember: Noon-8 p.m., Blount Center, 530 W. University Ave. Free. (bit.ly/journeyjuneteenth23) Join the Santa Fe College Association of Black Faculty and staff for a celebration that includes food trucks, arts and crafts, historical tour, youth activities, live entertainment and more.
Expressions of Freedom Juneteenth Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. June 16, Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, 837 SE Seventh Ave. Tickets: $35. (cottonclubmuseum.com/events) Enjoy breakfast and music.
SYNERGY Magazine Launch: 6 p.m. June 16, Thomas Center, 302 NE Sixth Ave. Tickets: $25-$40. (bit.ly/synergytickets23) The SYNERGY unveil is an elegant reception held to unveil the 2023 edition of SYNERGY.
Freedom Walk 5K: 7-11 a.m. June 17, Depot Park, 874 SE Fourth St. Free. (bit.ly/journeyjuneteenth23) 5K meant to educate and engage the Gainesville community on the rich history, legacy and resilience of Black and African Americans locally and nationally.
Freedom Fest 2023: 4-9 p.m. June 17, Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E. University Ave. Free entry; items and food for sale. (bit.ly/journeyjuneteenth23) Music and arts festival featuring musical performances, vendors, children's zone, food and drinks.
Reaching Back to Move Forward: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 19, Downtown Gainesville. Free. (bit.ly/journeyjuneteenth23) Unveiling of Sankofa statue honoring Dr. Patricia Hilliard-Nunn, drum procession, local history, motorcycle parade, music and more.
“Kinky Boots”: 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays July 21-Aug. 13, Gainesville Community Playhouse, 4039 NW 16th Blvd. Tickets: $23 general admission, $19 seniors, $12 students. (gcplayhouse.org) Based on the Miramax motion picture of the same name, written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth. Charlie Price has reluctantly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. As they work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair find that they have more in common than they realized … and discover that, when you change your mind, you can change your whole world. With a little compassion and a lot of understanding, this unexpected pair learns to embrace their differences and creates a line of sturdy stilettos unlike any the world has ever seen! But in the end, their most sensational achievement is their friendship.
“The Wind in The Willows”: 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, July 27-Aug. 7, High Springs Playhouse, 130 NE First Ave, High Springs. Tickets: $15 general admission, $10 students and ages 65 and older. (highspringsplayhouse.com) The famous English gentlemen, Mr. Toad of Toad Hall, sees his first motor car and promptly falls uncontrollably in love with motoring, so he buys a car that he then crashes. Another car is bought, followed by another crash and another — and another! For once at the throttle, Toad in his goggles and duster is a man possessed. Soon he is ruled off the road. Then he steals a car. For this he’s sent to jail for 20 years. While there, he learns that weasels have taken over his old family home and all of his friends have been thrown out. But the jailor’s daughter adores Toad for his charm and dash, and she helps him escape. In an exciting climax, Toad, Ratty, Badger and Mole retake Toad Hall by storm.
“Lungs”: 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, July 28-Aug. 13, Actors’ Warehouse, 2512 NE First Blvd. Tickets: $25 general admission, $20 students and ages 65 and older. (actorswarehouse.org) A brutally honest, funny and edgy off-kilter love story.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Scene Calendar: Gainesville Youth Chorus, Painting With Bats and more